Groups in Orkney who are looking to carry out a community based project are being urged to consider applying for Orkney Islands Council’s ‘perfect package’ of funding – the LEADER fund and the Community Development Fund.

Successful applicants for Leader Funding in Orkney (image F Grahame)

LEADER is part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme which funds economic, environmental and social measures for the benefit of rural Scotland. Orkney’s £2.5m LEADER funding offers funding for small scale, pilot projects led by the local community or that are in the local community interest, with the aim to promote economic and community development within Orkney. LEADER can provide up to 50% of project costs. LEADER is funded by the European Union and Scottish Government.

The Council’s £1m Community Development Fund, which comes via the Council’s Strategic Reserve Fund,  also provides grant assistance of up to 50% of project costs. It supports a wide range of community projects for example community halls, playparks and football pitches.

Nearly a third of the LEADER projects that have been approved in the current programme of funding also received Community Development Fund monies.

A list of the successful applicants and their projects can be found at Orkney LEADER programme 2014 – 2020

To download information about Orkney’s LEADER programme click LEADER

Convener of Orkney Islands Council, Harvey Johnstone said:

“The Community Development Fund and LEADER funds make a huge difference to people in Orkney, supporting projects across the county that change lives, no matter how big or small that project is. I’d encourage any community groups who’ve got a project in mind to get their skates on and get in touch with our funding teams at the Council”

Groups and organisations are being urged by OIC to get in touch as soon as possible due to the limited number of funding rounds left. All funds need to be committed by March 2019.